I needed to draw her to New Orleans. I wanted her to see how beautiful and special this city was. I was heading down to Bourbon Street with my roommate, John, to enjoy the best NOLA had to offer.

Sophia: I’ll miss chatting with you all night.

How could she think I could leave her behind? She still hadn’t given me an answer on coming to New Orleans. I’ll tempt her with the sights of the city, the allure in its beauty.

Me: I’m taking you with me Sophia.

Sophia: What do you mean?

Me: I’m going to bring my tablet, take pictures, and send them to you. I want you to experience the city with me.

Sophia: Really? You’re going to give me a tour of the city?

Me: Yes, I want you to see the beauty and the fun. I want you to want to come see me.

John and I headed out the door to catch the street car down Canal Street. I looked around and wanted to start the tour off right.

“Hey John, can you take a picture of me?”

“Sure thing,” John responded as I looked around for a great spot.

My eye caught a large DANGER sign spray painted on a cement separator… perfect. I stood next to the sign and made sure it remained in full view. John snapped the picture, and I quickly walked over to view it. I knew I was dangerous to Sophia, unlike any man she had been with, but I wanted her. I wanted to draw her in as deep as I could.

Me: The start of the tour.

Sophia: Are you trying to tell me something?

I laughed, Sophia knew how my mind worked somehow.

Me: Me? Never.

Sophia: Where to next?

Me: Down to Bourbon Street. Ready? The streetcar is here.

I sent her pictures of the inside of the streetcar and the stops along the route to our final destination. I snapped pictures of the buildings and the people all dressed for a night of fun. I couldn’t even leave the house for an evening and not find a way to make her part of it. I needed to talk with her. I had feelings for her already, but I’ve never met her. I felt a connection with her unlike any I had experienced.

Sophia: It’s beautiful and so different.

I sent her a picture of a beautiful courtyard that was filled with flowers and tables, and a fountain stood in the center of the courtyard flowing with water and glowing.

Me: I want to sit in this exact spot with you and sip on a drink. I want to share all of this with you in person.

Sophia: I’d rather be there with you than sitting on my couch right now.

Me: Look at this.

I spotted a few girls with body paint decorating their bodies. They didn’t have shirts on, but the paint helped mask their nudity. They were taking pictures with random men on the street for money. I snapped a picture from a distance and sent it to her.

Sophia: Wow. They have no shirts on, and that guy is basically grabbing her boob.

Me: Yes, women do it all the time.

Sophia: More pictures please, but maybe less boobs.

Me: Gotcha.

We walked down the heart of the French Quarter and captured as many images as I could to tell her the story of my night. John was very patient and understood my goal of luring Sophia to New Orleans.

“So you really like this girl, huh?” John asked me.

“I do.”

“Giving up on your arrangements then?”

“Yes, she makes me want more. If she is anything in person like what she is like online, then I want her and no one else,” I told him.

“Interesting bro. Do you have a picture of her?” John asked.

“I have a bunch,” I told him as I tapped my tablet a few times until a photo of her standing by the ocean appeared. She was wearing a flowing black tube top and shorts. Her long brown hair was blowing in the wind, and she was wearing sunglasses. I stared at her for a moment, “Here is the first picture I ever saw of her.”

“She’s beautiful, Kayden. I love her hair,” John said to me as he moved his face closer.

“It’s what drew me to with her to begin with. Thank God she didn’t have short hair—I may have never met her then,” I said jokingly.

“Is she going to come here?”

“I’m working on it. That’s why I’m taking these pictures. She’d love it here,” I told him while switching back to camera mode.

“You’ll do it. You’re a persistent bastard,” John said, strolling down the street to get a drink on the next block.

The night flew by quickly, and I sent at least fifty pictures to Sophia. I hoped the virtual tour of the city and experiencing it with me, but from afar, had made her want to come here more than ever.

A Moment of Pause